FOR all the positives you can associate with Swansea City over the past three years, good timing hasn’t really been one of their strong suits.

And, as they prepare to take on the one-man quote machine that is Neil Warnock for the third time this season, a difficult trip to Queens Park Rangers is certainly not ideal for a team looking to bounce back from a morale-sapping midweek defeat.

Boss Paulo Sousa returns to his old club for the first time since he was sacked last year admitting it has been harder than usual to lift his players’ spirits following Tuesday’s 2-0 loss at home to West Brom.

That was a result shrouded in controversy after another poor penalty decision went against the Swans, so you could understand if locking horns with Warnock again was the last thing he wanted.

The new Rangers boss is renowned for the fact his teams tend to push opponents to the limit, both physically and mentally, ensuring that whether you win, lose or draw, the game takes its toll.

The fact today’s hosts, who have severely under-achieved over the past two years, are enjoying somewhat of a resurgence since Warnock took over a fortnight ago doesn’t help matters either.

“It will be an extremely difficult game for us because they have got some top-quality players all over the pitch.

“On their day, QPR can beat anyone in this league. They have improved a lot recently as well with the new manager coming in.

“I think they would say themselves that they have under-achieved in recent seasons.

“Considering the stature of the club and the players they have, it’s a fair judgement to make.”

Reinforcing his captain’s claims and warning that Rangers could still surprise a few people in the closing stages of the season, midfielder Leon Britton admits Loftus Road is a difficult place to visit.

“It’s hard to play your own game,” said the Londoner. “QPR are probably under-achieving when you consider the players they have there, but Warnock is a very good motivator and we know it will be difficult.

“They are still in with an outside chance of making the play-offs.

“Obviously, with Warnock going there, they have won a few games and they will fancy their chances of sneaking into the top six.”

It’s little surprise that Britton has picked out Warnock’s early influence on Rangers.

And it’s another area in which he and Monk are in strong agreement.

After last month’s fiery clash with his former club Crystal Palace, in which Swansea’s players were targeted by a series of dangerous fouls, the outspoken 61-year-old is definitely not a favourite at the Liberty Stadium.

But he is well respected and Sousa’s troops are well aware of how tough a challenge awaits them in London.

As far as Monk is concerned, Warnock is exactly the right man to get Rangers back on track after a turbulent two years that has seen no fewer than five permanent managers – including Sousa – come and go at Loftus Road.

And, while Britton rightly points out that the former Sheffield United supremo now has more technically gifted players at his disposal than at his previous clubs, he also knows that the Swans face yet another battle.

“We had hoped we’d had all our games against Neil Warnock teams this season,” the midfielder said with a wry smile.

“We know what to expect against him though. We have to be prepared for that otherwise you will come unstuck.

“QPR are probably a more attractive side than you would normally expect from him.

“Adel Taarabt is a prime example of that, he is one of the most skilful players in the league.

“They have got players who are technically very good, ones that you wouldn’t associate with a gritty team that like to fight and kick for everything.

“Warnock has only been there for a short while though and he is sure to put his own stamp on the team in time.”

Adamant Rangers had made a shrewd appointment, Monk added: “Unfortunately it’s one more game against him.

“But you can’t knock Warnock, you have got to respect him for what he does.

“After what QPR have been through over the past two years, when it has been like a circus there, he is probably the right man for the job.

“He won’t be dictated to from above, he is his own man and that’s probably what the players need.

“Hopefully it won’t be what they need to beat us. But I’m sure that, in the long term, it will prove to be a good appointment for them.”

Putting talk of Warnock to one side, Monk was more interested in his own team’s long-term gains.

And, after a return of just one point from their last two home games, he was keen to see Swansea use their travels to get back on track.

Pairing today’s clash with Tuesday’s tough trip to face Blackpool, Monk believes the Swans should be targeting at least four points from the two games.

Sousa’s men may have an eight-point safety buffer in the play-off spots, but that won’t last long if they don’t start chalking up some more victories.

“We have to make sure we bounce back,” the experienced defender declared.

“It’s very important for us because we need to get some positive results against QPR and Blackpool.

“Eight points won’t go very far if we don’t get something out of these games.

“We are in a great position now, but we need to make sure we consolidate it.

“The boys here always make sure we bounce back from a defeat straight away.

“We have done that so far this season and hopefully that will be the case again.”